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Although there are plenty of digital options to get to know a property from afar, an open for inspection is a valuable part of the buying journey. Not only does walking through the house give a great sense of livability, the open for inspection is also an opportunity to address all the functional and physical considerations of a property and help you to decide whether it is worth your investment.

When you are trying to see several properties with clashing inspection times you may find yourself rushing through back-to-back inspections and overlooking critical elements.  To help you make the most of your time inspecting a property, however brief, here are the top five things to consider at quick open for inspections.

Building defects

Although it’s best to leave building and pest inspections up to the experts, it is important to pay attention and look out for any defects on inspection day.

It can be tempting to take in home styling and lifestyle alone, but the best thing you can do is look beyond the aesthetics to the structural quality. Be sure to look out for any large cracks in brickwork, sagging ceilings, damage to flooring, roof condition or any presentation of mould.

“Most properties will have building and condition reports as well as pest inspections prepared by a qualified professional but if they don’t, organise an assessment of the property yourself. In the end, it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind,” counsels Belle Property Head of Network Growth, Nick Boyd.   

Surfaces and finishes

As well as any building defects, consider the surfaces and finishes of the property. The age, quality, and thickness of household materials are difficult to ascertain without being physically onsite.

If there are wooden floorboards, walk through the house to understand where they creak or are uneven. Thoroughly inspect the kitchen benches, bathroom tiling, and taps or faucets as well to check their condition and whether any upgrades may be required after purchasing.

It is also a good idea to understand how thick the windows are and if they rattle or let the wind in. If you’re near a busy road, ensure the windows are double-glazed and block out external noise.

“While you shouldn’t turn down your dream home based on a creaky floorboard, it’s important to understand what additional upgrade costs may be required, on top of the sales price of the home, and how that fits into your budget,” says Nick.

Natural light

As well as the layout of a property, having natural light comes with lots of benefits and is often a feature that many homebuyers forget to consider.

When visiting the property, notice which way the property is facing and how windows are positioned to help or hinder lighting effects. If the light source at a particular time is of importance to you – say a bedroom with morning light – consider scheduling your appointment to coincide with that period.

Most newer homes are now built with orientation in mind and will often be built in a way that assists in efficient lighting, heating and cooling throughout the year.

“The right natural lighting can assist in lowering power bills as well as being proven to improve residents’ wellbeing,” says Nick.

Parking

Whether you drive a car, a motorcycle or opt to use public transport, a private car space can be an advantageous addition when looking for a property.

There can be a significant price difference between properties with a parking space and those without, but a car spot is redundant if your vehicle does not fit. Always check the dimensions of a parking space or garage to ensure it can accommodate your vehicle, especially if it is an older-style property or you have a larger-than-average vehicle.

If you are not lucky enough to snag a property with off-street parking, make sure to check on-street parking when attending the open for inspection. Notice whether there is all-day parking available, or, if you are in a major city, whether you will need to apply for a residential parking permit.

Location

The adage ‘location, location, location’ may sound cliched, but it really does ring true when it comes to buying – with a property’s location making a world of difference when it comes to the realities of day-to-day living.

“You may have done hours of research and know the suburb features and lifestyle like the back of your hand, but it’s only when there that you notice your ‘dream home’ has a barking dog next door or the traffic along your road is loud,” says Nick.

When visiting the property, get to know the street that the property is on and take in if there are any main roads, developments or commercial areas that may affect both the livability of the property and potential resale in the future.

As a last piece of advice for someone attending open for inspections, Nick adds, “While you should use your time in the property to inspect it thoroughly, this is also your opportunity to connect with the sales agent. Ask them your questions about the property if it’s not too busy, but if there are hordes of other buyers in attendance it might be better to send an email afterwards so they have the time to give you a more detailed response.”

For assistance with starting your buying journey speak to your local Belle Property agent today. Read more about the process of buying and search our current homes for sale.